A House Republican report has shed light on the potential financial strain the ongoing migrant crisis could impose on U.S. taxpayers.
The report, drawing attention to the policies of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas under the Biden administration, estimates the cost of caring for illegal migrants in the U.S. could escalate to as much as $451 billion annually. [Source]
This 49-page report, publicly released following a House vote, is titled “The Historic Dollar Costs of DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’ Open-Border Policies.” It underscores the Republican Party’s concerns over Mayorkas’ handling of what they describe as an “unprecedented surge” in illegal border crossings. Since President Biden’s inauguration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has reported over 7 million migrant encounters at the Southwest land border alone.
The report opens with a stark assertion: “Every day, millions of American taxpayer dollars are spent on costs directly associated with illegal immigration and the unprecedented crisis at the Southwest border sparked by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’ policies.” It highlights the disparity between the minor contributions from illegal migrants’ taxes and the overwhelming financial burden shouldered by American citizens and lawful residents.
Covering a range of costs from emergency medical care to law enforcement, and housing benefits for illegal aliens, the report cites estimates from respected immigration analysts like the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) and the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). CIS places the cost at a staggering $451 billion, while FAIR’s data suggests a net burden of $150 billion after considering the tax contributions of illegal aliens.
Republicans have organized the expenses into six primary categories: healthcare, law enforcement, education, welfare and other benefits, housing and shelter, and impacts on private property and border livelihoods. The report paints a grim picture of the financial implications of what it describes as Mayorkas’ “open-borders policies.”
The document emphatically criticizes the allocation of “American taxpayer dollars to those who violate our laws and demand expansive, taxpayer-funded benefits like education, health care, housing, and more.” It further argues that many migrants “will likely represent a drain on American society” and highlights the legal issues surrounding their presence in the U.S.
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, in an exclusive conversation with The Post, expressed concern over the report’s findings, emphasizing the financial toll on both small border towns and larger cities like New York. The report also sheds light on the additional burden placed on state and local governments in terms of healthcare, education, and law enforcement expenses due to the migrant influx. [Source]
The Biden administration’s approach to the migrant crisis, including a request for an additional $14 billion in border security funding, has been met with criticism from Republican committee members. They argue that such policies exacerbate the financial strain on communities across the country.
The House GOP report calls for an urgent review and reform of current border policies, pointing to the significant economic impact on American taxpayers.